Wildlife on a tightrope

An overview of wild animals

in entertainment in Thailand
We were known as WSPA
(World Society for the
Protection of Animals)

Contents
03

Executive summary

35

Life in captivity for tigers

07

Animal welfare

36

Life in captivity for macaques

11

Wild animals in focus: elephants, tigers, macaques

41 Conclusion

26

Methodology and ranking definitions

45

28

Results and observations

46 References

30

Life in captivity for elephants

47 Appendices

Cover image Elephant walking on tightropes

Unless otherwise stated, all images are World Animal Protection
This research was supported by a grant from The Intrepid Foundation.

How we can work with you

Executive summary
A life in tourist entertainment Understanding the scale of
is no life for a wild animal
suffering
Across the world, and throughout Asia, wild animals are being
taken from the wild, or bred in captivity, to be used in the tourism
entertainment industry. They will suffer at every stage of this
inherently cruel process and throughout their lives in captivity.
Wild animals taken from the wild, and from their mothers, are
being forced to endure cruel and intensive training to make them
perform, and to interact with people. They are living their whole
lives in captive conditions that cannot meet their needs: a life in
tourist entertainment is no life for a wild animal.
At World Animal Protection we are working to protect wild animals
from cruelty, and to help keep them in the wild where they belong.

This report highlights the findings of our 2010 research into the lives of
captive wild animals used in tourism entertainment venues in Thailand
one of Asias most popular tourist destinations.
We assessed the scale of the wildlife tourism entertainment industry
and reviewed how much, or how little regard for welfare was given
to captive wild animals at entertainment venues.
We wanted this information to help governments, communities, local
people and the tourism industry to understand the scale and extent of
suffering endured by wild animals in tourism entertainment.
Since we carried out this assessment in 2010, it is likely the situation
for captive wild animals may have changed or gotten worse - but
this information has helped to lay the foundations for the work
we continue to do today - to protect wild animals used in tourism
entertainment.

Thailand

Scale of wildlife tourism

entertainment in Thailand
We visited 118 venues across Thailand in 2010. These included
venues offering wildlife tourism entertainment, and a number of
animal rescue focused institutions.
In these venues we found 1,688 elephants; 614 tigers and
317 macaques.
Most venues offered elephant rides or elephant shows.
But an increasing number were offering captive wild tigers for
tourism entertainment.
A small number of larger venues housed all three species, and
a mix of animals, including primates such as orang-utans and
chimpanzees. These venues offered wildlife entertainment to
large audiences.
Sixty four percent of venues housing captive wild elephants
were small to medium sized. They held an average of one to
10 animals; making up 26% of the elephants in this study. The
remaining elephants were kept in larger venues.

Scale of animal suffering


Only one venue housing captive wild tigers, and another

with captive wild macaques, had commendable animal

welfare standards.


Of the venues visited, 53% of those with captive elephants

and 90% of those with captive tigers and macaques did not
meet the basic needs of captive wild animals.


Captive wild elephant venues in north Thailand demonstrated a

higher level of animal welfare standards than their counterparts in

the south.


41% of elephant venues offered slightly improved, but still

inadequate captive conditions, for wild animals.


Key welfare issues that lead to suffering in captive conditions

were found to be:

extreme restraint, through being chained or caged, with limited
freedom to move as they would in the wild
limited opportunity to naturally socialise with other animals as
they would in the wild


There was an imbalance of male and female elephants and

macaques: 69% female adult elephants and 67% male adult

macaques in their respective venues. This suggested interference
in the population, such as taking animals from the wild, or
removing unwanted genders.

Education on the importance of protecting wild animals was rare,

with only 6% of wildlife entertainment tourism venues offering

comprehensive education at their venues.

participation in stressful and demanding activities, including

interaction with people and performing in shows
non-existent or insufficient veterinary care
inadequate nutrition and diet for some captive wild animals

Six captive wild elephant venues, ran by rescue organisations,

had commendable animal welfare standards, and did not use

captive wild elephants for entertainment.

Image A chained macaque at

a tourist attraction in Thailand

Keeping wild animals

in the wild: next steps
There is clear evidence across Thailand, as well as in Asia
and globally, of wild animals suffering in the tourism
entertainment industry.
Wild animals belong, and can only live fully, in the wild. But, we
know it will take time and collaboration to move towards an end
to their use in tourism entertainment.
We are calling for a move towards sustainable, locally
sensitive solutions to end the suffering of wild animals used in
tourism entertainment.
To protect wild animals, with sustainable solutions, we are working
alongside governments, tourist venues, communities and local
people to ensure culture and livelihoods are considered.

We are opening conversations to help achieve lasting change

for wild animals to move away from exploitation to venues with
animal welfare and protection at their core.
We are also raising awareness among tourists to ensure they
make informed decisions and put animal welfare at the heart
of their travel choices. We are encouraging them to view wild
animals in their natural habitat, or to only visit venues where the
best interests of captive wild animals are being met.
We work with governments, the tourism industry, tourist venues,
and local partners, to develop sustainable, economically viable
and animal-friendly solutions that protect wild animals.
Our aim is for national and local governments and the tourism
industry to introduce policy measures that will ultimately phase out
the wildlife entertainment industry and keep wild animals in the
wild, where they belong.

Animal welfare
What is animal welfare?
Animal welfare is often viewed as how an animal is
coping with the conditions in which it lives. Animal welfare
considers more than the level of health of the animal, it
incorporates the physical (health, growth, reproduction)
and psychological (how the animal perceives its
environment and its emotional state) well-being of the
animal, as well as its ability to express natural behaviours.
An animal is in a good state of welfare if (as indicated by
scientific evidence) it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished,
safe, able to express innate behaviour, and if it is not
suffering from pain, fear, or distress.
In the case of wild animals it is impossible to meet all
of their welfare needs in captivity. Wild animals are (by
very definition) undomesticated species, which have not
undergone genetic changes in either appearance or
behaviour which enables them to adapt readily to nonwild captive conditions.
World Animal Protection believes that wild animals belong
in the wild, as this is the only place they can lead full lives
free from the suffering inherent with captivity.

Wild animal needs can only

be fully met in the wild
Wild animals belong in the wild. They have adapted perfectly to
their environment. Their unique anatomy, physiology and behaviour
has adapted over many generations to survive and thrive in their
natural habitat.
In captivity, wild animal welfare is strongly dictated by how closely
their living conditions resemble their wild natural environment.
Venues keeping captive wild animals, including rescue centres,
tourism entertainment venues and zoos, are responsible for
ensuring the best interests of those captive wild animals
are being met.
But, meeting the needs of captive wild animals, when they
belong in the wild, is very challenging. For example:

their interaction with people should be limited or non-existent.

the food provided to them should be fresh and resemble their

natural diet.

provision should be made allowing them to express their natural

wild behaviour, such as roaming, foraging and interacting with

each other, as they would in the wild.
Creating an environment for captive wild animals that replicates
their natural environment in the wild is challenging and expensive.
And despite the available research there is still a lot unknown
about the needs of many wild animals.
In some venues captive wild animals do receive adequate nutrition
and medical treatment. This can lead to the misconception that
they are not suffering. But, good animal welfare requires more
than just physical health. Mental wellbeing, and the impact of the
environment in which animals live, is just as important.
Ultimately, the needs of wild animals, can only be fully met in
the wild.

Impact of inadequate care

for captive wild animals

Impact of using captive wild

animals for entertainment

Captive wild animals suffer from being kept in inadequate welfare

conditions, especially at tourism entertainment venues, that do not
meet their needs.

Wild animals taken from the wild, or bred in captivity, for the
tourism industry not only live in unacceptable captive conditions,
they also endure cruel and intensive training.

Their welfare depends on venue owners having the appropriate

knowledge and awareness of wild animal needs, and commitment
to investing in their wellbeing.

From elephant rides, to tigers being used in holiday photos, to

macaques being forced to perform for tourists: wild animals will
suffer at every stage of their captive lives.

Sadly, because wild animals are often seen as commodities,

owners may feel it is simpler to replace them rather than investing
in improvements to their welfare.

For instance, all captive wild elephants go through an intense and

stressful breaking-in process to accept having people ride on their
necks and backs. Elephants can suffer daily pain and discomfort
from being saddled, overburdened with heavy passengers, constant
interaction with people and from being tired and overworked.

Captive wild animals kept in inadequate welfare conditions

can develop psychological or neurological disorders, known as
stereotypies. Stereotypies are defined as repetitive movements
without clearly established purpose or function1.
Head bobbing to body rocking to self-mutilation. Once captive
wild animals have developed neurological or psychological
symptoms due to their needs not being met in captivity, they are
very difficult to reverse. Symptoms can be in response to increased
stress from confinement or from being left in isolation, with no
stimulation or chance to move freely2. This stereotypical behaviour
has only been observed in captive animals.
Captive wild animals can also develop disorders or injuries linked
to malnutrition, harmful environments, neglect or harsh training
methods. And those suffering in unacceptable living conditions are
more likely to contract diseases, posing an infectious risk to tourists
and people working with the animals3.

Captive wild animals used in shows and other entertainments

usually endure severe discomfort from being forced to carry out
extremely repetitive and limited behaviour patterns, while often
subjected to stressful and painful training.
There are insufficient regulations in Thailand, and elsewhere,
limiting captive wild animal working hours. And so to maximise
profits many captive wild animals are forced to work long and
stressful hours to entertain tourists, with little rest and recovery time
between activities. Overworked animals are prone to illness and
injury and may also become aggressive, often requiring forceful or
severe handling by people to make them work.
Much of this abuse takes place behind the scenes and tourists are
often unaware of how tired or stressed the animals really are.

Image A tiger at a tourism

facility in Thailand

Impact of captive breeding

of wild animals
Captive breeding occurs in many larger venues in Thailand,
particularly those that use captive wild elephants or tigers for
tourism entertainment.
Many venues that breed wild animals for tourism entertainment
claim they are addressing conservation concerns. But, an ever
increasing captive tiger and elephant population does not benefit
the conservation of wild populations.
Captive breeding for commercial purposes fuels the demand for
wild animals either to be used in tourism entertainment or for
their products by providing a market for illegally poached
wild animals.
It can be more cost-efficient to capture wild animals rather than
breed them4. While captive breeding can reduce the number of
animals taken from the wild in the short term, in the longer term it
feeds the demand for the wildlife trade - especially in situations
with insufficient law enforcement in place to prevent poaching5.
This continues to risk the future of wild animals, especially critically
endangered ones like elephants and tigers6.
This issue is compounded by the fact that there are few laws and
enforcement that properly addresses the illegal wildlife trade. Plus
the availability of legal captive-bred animals and their products
makes it harder to distinguish between legal and illegal wild
animal products.
For example in Thailand, the availability of legal ivory from captive
wild elephants, on the domestic market, makes it easier for illegal
ivory from Africa to be laundered, as it is impossible to tell the two
products apart.

10

The best outcome of captive breeding would be the reintroduction

of captive bred animals into the wild, where they belong. But,
this is only possible with well-managed, scientific breeding
programmes that prevent inbreeding or mixing of subspecies.
Extensive efforts would also need to be made to prevent the
introduction of new diseases into existing wild populations.
Even then, reintroducing wild animals is extremely challenging,
and is often unsuccessful in effectively conserving populations,
especially if habitat destruction and wildlife protection are
not addressed7.
Some rescue centres and sanctuaries do take measures to prevent
captive breeding. One advantage to this is it can help these
facilities control the numbers of elephants they have in capacity,
enabling them to take in captive wild animals in need, and to
provide them the best possible welfare.
Unfortunately in some tourism entertainment venues, captive
breeding continues purely for economic benefits, due to baby
animals being a big draw for tourists.
Ultimately, captive breeding leads to more wild animals living their
lives in captive conditions that cannot meet their needs; needs that
can only be fully met in the wild.

Wild animals
in focus
Throughout Thailand and across
Asia there are three wild animal species
that are most commonly used in
wild animal tourism entertainment:
Asian elephants, tigers and macaques.
Our assessment focused on the welfare
conditions of these three species in
venues across Thailand.

11

12

Elephants:
The facts
Adult Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) can weigh between
3,000 to 5,000kg and reach a body length of over six metres.
Together with their African counterpart, they form the largest
land-based mammal family.
Asian elephants are highly intelligent and can live up to 70 years,
although their lifespan in captivity is generally shorter8.
Asian elephants roam home ranges of between 15 to 30
square kilometres.
Every day, herds may travel up to 10km in thick forest and often
steep terrain. Each elephant will normally consume between
150-300kg of food.
Females are extremely social animals, forming matriarchal herds of
up to 20 other females and younger individuals.

Pregnant females have a gestation period of around 20 months.

They take care of their offspring for the first four years, and
continue to supervise them for several years after.
Elephant herd members constantly interact with each other, either
through touch or vocally. This is essential to maintain their highly
developed social network.
Elephants have a highly developed social instinct. They may
mourn for a deceased animal, designate nannies and aunts to
take care of offspring, and cooperate with each other.
Constant encroachment by people into elephant habitats, and the
illegal trade of ivory and wild animals, has caused a rapid decline
in the Asian elephant population over recent decades.
Asian elephants are considered endangered by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2011).
Asian elephants are on Appendix I of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which heavily
restricts international trade of animals and animal parts.

Males are more solitary, but will temporarily join a female group
or form temporary male groups.

Image iStock. by Getty Images

13

The history of elephants

in Thailand
Elephants have been used by people in Thailand for over 4,000
years. They have been used in wars and as working animals, and
are one of Thailands most recognised national symbols.
At the beginning of the 20th century there were a large numbers
of elephants in the wild, and more than100, 000 captive
elephants in Thailand. Today, around 2,500 elephants remain in
the wild. The captive population is nearer 3,5009.
The loss of elephants in the wild is through destruction and
fragmentation of natural habitat, poaching and conflict with people.
Previously, captive wild elephants in Thailand were mostly used in
the logging industry. However, a state-wide ban on commercial
forestry in 1989 left many captive elephant owners without
an income. This led to captive elephants being used more for
entertainment for riding, in shows, and for street begging.
Until 2009, about 200 captive wild elephants were used
for begging on the streets of Bangkok, until the Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration succeeded in banning this practice.
Though there were concerns for the future of these elephants, this
showed a positive step in protecting captive wild elephants from
living in the worst welfare conditions.
In contrast, captive wild elephants used in tourism entertainment in
Thailand continue to suffer from being kept in captive conditions
that cannot meet their needs. There are no guidelines in place to
improve or contain the situation.
Elephants in Thailand are legally covered both by wildlife
legislation, for elephants in the wild, and domestic livestock
legislation, for captive elephants. This confusion, alongside an
insufficient registration system for captive elephants, is not offering
guidelines for the improvement of the welfare of captive wild
elephants, or for preventing the illegal wildlife trade.
Image An elephant at a camp, where
14
they are trained and perform, in Thailand

Our 2010 assessment focussed on the welfare conditions of

captive wild elephants in venues across Thailand. There are also
an estimated 1,40010 captive wild elephants kept near their
owners villages or for illegal logging, that we could not assess.

The mahout
Traditionally, captive wild elephants are cared for by mahouts.
Over centuries they have gathered vast knowledge about
traditional elephant keeping, and their relationships with
their elephants can be close11. However, the relationship
between captive wild elephants and their mahouts can be a
difficult one. This is due to the loss of knowledge in younger
generations, limited awareness of captive wild elephant needs,
the increasing commercialisation of the industry, and the use of
sometimes cruel methods of control.

The myth of the

domesticated elephant

Defining captive
wild elephants

Across Thailand, tourists will often come across signs indicating

domesticated elephants are being used for tourism entertainment
purposes. However, elephants have never been domesticated. This
statement is misleading. It indicates that elephants have lost their wild
instinct and adapted to life in captivity.

Through its time in captivity, and through suffering intense

training and interaction with people, an individual elephants
behaviour can undergo changes that might not always be
reversible. Experts have suggested there could be a need
for a definition that recognises the continuous nature of
change from wild to domesticated.

The domestication process creates an animal that significantly differs

from its wild counterpart, in anatomy and character because of
generations of selective breeding by people.
A domesticated animal can still behave similarly to its wild
counterpart, but response to activities that can trigger reactions
such as stress, fear or aggression, have decreased. This makes a
domesticated animal easier to handle. While it is not possible to
say exactly how long a domestication process takes, it is generally
accepted that domestication will not be achieved in fewer than12
generations of selective breeding15.
Elephants have never undergone the domestication process. They
have instead gone through what is described by authors on the
subject as a classical example of taming and training16. They are not
domesticated animals, classing them as such has impact on elephant
protection and conservation.
In the 4,000 year history of people-elephant relationships, most
elephants used by people have been directly taken from the wild.
Even today, most captive adult wild elephants still originate from
the wild. Elephants bred in captivity are mostly only first or second
generation and have not been selectively bred a prerequisite
to domestication.
In Thailand today, it is estimated as many as 75% of captive adult
elephants used for tourism entertainment have been taken directly
from the wild although this figure is difficult to validate in absence of
accessible databases.
The fact that people have used elephants for thousands of years does
not mean they are domesticated. This is illustrated by the intense and
cruel training that elephants endure so they can be handled safely.

There have also been discussions whether to refer to

elephants as tamed or captive wild animals. Captive can
imply the animal has been captured directly from the wild,
when many elephants have been born in captivity17, but it
does recognise all elephants have the same needs, whether
taken from the wild or captive bred. This is why in this report
we refer to elephants as captive wild and domesticated
elephants.

In Thailand today, it is
estimated as many as 75%
of captive adult elephants
used for tourism entertainment
have been taken directly from
the wild.

15

Can wild elephants live

in captivity?
Elephants are some of the most socially developed mammals
in the world, and arrange their herds into a clear hierarchic
structure. In captivity it is the mahout that takes on the dominant
role through exerting control over the elephant. This is achieved
sometimes through severe cruelty, and always through intense
training and controlling the freedom and movement of the
elephant. It clearly affects the welfare of the animal.
Most mahouts will reject the idea of giving their elephant more
freedom, fearing it will challenge their dominance. Therefore
elephants will be chained to control their unpredictable
behaviour, to ensure they do not cause a risk to people and
property, and to insure the livelihood of the mahout.

The musth period, an annual phase of increased testosterone

production in male elephants, causes the biggest issue in
controlling captive wild elephants. During this period male
elephants become unpredictable and often extremely
aggressive. Even the most progressive elephant sanctuaries
struggle with the management of male elephants during this
period. They resort to chaining them in isolation during musth
which can last anything from three weeks to a few months.
Further evidence that elephant needs cannot be met in captivity
is the limited reproductive success of captive wild elephants.
Even with advancements in artificial insemination, the captive
Asian elephant population globally is not self-sustaining.
Consequently, animals continue to be taken from the wild21.
While gender imbalance and diseases play a role, recent
studies link poor reproduction with the serious welfare issues
facing captive
wild elephants22.

Many tourists who enjoy interacting with captive wild elephants,

or watching them perform seemingly harmless acts such as
painting, are not aware of the severe suffering that lies beneath.

Many tourists also incorrectly presume that elephants are docile

animals. They are, however, one of the most dangerous wild
animals to handle.
Those who have experienced working with captive elephants
say for every male elephant in captivity there will be one person
fatally injured. The number of people severely injured by captive
wild elephants is estimated to be the highest rate among captive
wild animals used by people. There are documented cases of
people being killed and injured by elephants in Thailand.19
In the interest of public safety, the AZA strongly
encourages its members to discontinue public elephant
rides.20 The American Zoo Association (AZA).

16

The ivory issue

Captive elephants in Thailand are classed under
livestock legislation. One of the implications of this is
that when an elephant dies it is legal to sell the ivory
on the domestic market. Thailand has been identified
previously as the biggest market for ivory in SouthEast Asia12. At the 2013 CITES convention of parties,
Thailand pledged to close its domestic ivory market, but
this has still not happened13.
As well as strong international concerns that the legal ivory
trade hides illegally poached ivory from Africa, there are
welfare concerns for the exploitation of captive elephants
in Thailand for ivory and other products14. There is a clear
need for improved elephant protection laws in Thailand,
and across Asia.

The breaking in process

All captive wild elephants will suffer a cruel and intensive
breaking-in process so they can be safely used in tourism
entertainment. This procedure has been handed down over
generations; there are some regional variations, but they all
cause intense suffering to elephants.
The process will involve severe restraint so that the elephant only
moves when commanded by the mahout, so they will accept a
person riding on their neck. Severe pain is often inflicted to speed
up the process and quickly establish dominance, even though
its recognised by experienced mahouts this can increase the
elephants aggression towards people.
Depending on the mahout and the individual elephant, this
process can take between a few days and a week. Although a
short period of time in comparison to an elephants long life, this
highly traumatic experience will stay with the elephant throughout
its life. And, recent research links traumatic events like this with the
development of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in elephants.18

A case study for change

India is a nation as closely associated with elephants
as Thailand, with one of the highest number of captive
elephants worldwide. In 2009 the Indian government
acknowledged the suffering endured
by captive wild elephants, and took action to
reduce this suffering. It declared that captive elephants
in zoos and circuses must be relocated
to sanctuaries that could better meet their needs.
The governments action followed research on the welfare of
captive elephants in India that concluded captive elephant
needs could not be met in venues offering captive animals
for entertainment. India declared that the captive breeding
efforts at these facilities had no valid conservation value
as they only sustained the captive population, with no
opportunities for reintroducing elephants to the wild.

Footage of these procedures carried out on newly captured

elephants shows severe abuse and extreme stress and pain for the
animal. Even if these disturbing reports are hopefully the exception,
the breaking-in process remains an intensely stressful event for wildcaught and captive born animals.

17

18

Tigers:
The facts
Tigers (Panthera tigris) are the largest of the big cats.
The Indochinese tiger can reach a weight of about 195kg and a
length of up to 2.4 metres.
They are extremely agile, powerful and mostly nocturnal
predators. They can travel between 16 and 32 kilometres in a
single night.

Their lifespan in the wild is around 10 years. While in captivity

they have been known to live for more than 20 years.
Their relatively short lifespan in the wild is mainly caused by
people. The biggest threats to tigers are: habitat destruction;
conflict with people; hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade for use
as exotic pets, traditional Asian medicine, fur and other souvenirs.
Tigers are considered endangered by the IUCN (2011) with a
declining population trend and are listed in Appendix I of CITES,
restricting their international trade.

Tigers are solitary animals with home ranges of between 200 to

1,000 square kilometres, depending on the availability of food.

Image Shannon Plummer

19

The history of tigers

in Thailand
Unlike the keeping of elephants and macaques, there is no culture
or tradition of keeping or farming tigers in Thailand.
The wild tiger population is in heavy decline, with only small
scattered populations left in the wild. Simultaneously, the captive
population of tigers in Asia has significantly increased in the last
decade. This is primarily due to tiger farms, which keep thousands
of tigers.
Tigers breed readily in captivity, even in highly inadequate welfare
conditions, enabling large captive populations.
The most common reason for farming captive tigers is to meet
the demand for tiger products, mainly from the Traditional Asian
Medicine market. It is estimated that Chinese tiger farms hold
around 5,000 tigers. This is more than the worlds wild tiger
population which stands at around 3,200 tigers24.
While international trade of live tigers and tiger products is illegal
through CITES regulations, national trade depends on each
countrys national laws.

20

Those who profit from the captive breeding of tigers

argue they help conserve wild tigers by satisfying
demand, and preventing the taking of tigers from the
wild. However, these arguments have been refuted by
the former International Tiger Coalition, an alliance of 35
conservation and animal welfare groups dedicated to
eliminating the trade of tigers.
According to the coalition, legalising tiger farming and the
trade in tiger products, will only increase opportunities to
sell parts and products from wild tigers, as it is impossible
to distinguish products originating from the wild or from
captive bred tigers. Sadly, some people are willing to pay
more for products from wild-caught animals.
The Traditional Asian Medicine community states that tiger
bone, the most common traded tiger product, is not required
for human treatment anymore25; yet wild tigers continue to
be exploited and traded.

Image A tiger cub kept on a chain is used as a prop for

photographs with tourists at an attraction in Thailand

The situation in Thailand

The oldest and biggest tiger farm in Thailand houses more
than 400 captive tigers, and promotes their success in
breeding, without stating the purpose for breeding these
tigers. Starting in 1995 with just 35 tigers, the venue
increased its captive tiger population to between 180 to
300 tigers in just six years.26

Previous investigations have raised concerns of tiger entertainment

venues in Thailand being linked to the international trade of tigers,
triggering protection and conservation concerns28.
Throughout Thailand and across Asia, captive tiger numbers are
increasing, causing intense suffering for tigers, while maintaining
demand and financial incentives to poach and trade wild tigers.
A lifetime in captivity, chained and forced to interact with
people, is no life for a wild tiger.

In 2001 this venue exported 100 tigers to an entertainment

facility in China, raising concerns by CITES that this export did not
comply with international regulations27.
Similarly, in just three years leading up to 2010, the well-known
Tiger Temple tripled their captive tiger population from around
20 to 70 captive tigers.

21

22

Macaques:
The facts

Males are usually much larger than females, weighing around 8 to

14kg versus 5 to 10kg for females.
Macaques live for around 26 years in the wild.

There are a number of indigenous macaques pig-tailed,

long-tailed and stump-tailed macaques are the most common.
The most common macaque in captivity in Thailand is the pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina).
Pig-tailed macaques are found throughout Southeast Asia and
are extremely adaptable to different environments.

Pig-tailed macaques live in social groups of between 15 and 40

animals. The groups consist of both females and males of varying
ages and maturity.
Groups establish very sophisticated hierarchies and show highly
developed social behaviour.

Their natural habitat ranges from coastal swamps to rainforest

and areas of up to 2,000m altitude.

While the pig-tailed macaque is not classified as endangered, its

status is rated as vulnerable by the IUCN (2011) and is noted as
a declining population.

Pig-tailed macaques normally spend their time in the trees,

covering long distances while foraging. Their home ranges vary
between one to 8 kilometres29.

Habitat destruction, being taken from the wild for research and
exploitation, and conflict with people, are the biggest reasons for
their decline.

Image Long-tailed macaque

iStock. by Getty Images

23

The history of macaques

in Thailand
Wild macaques are extremely inventive and adaptive. These
characteristics have not gone unnoticed, and there is a long
history of people capturing wild macaques to train them for
various purposes. Macaques have been used to harvest fruit
for over 4,000 years, while in Southeast Asia the first reports of
macaques being used by people are as early as the
17th century.30
As with elephants, the captive population has been almost
entirely sourced from the wild, and no domestication process has
taken place.

24

Traditionally the most common use of wild macaques in Thailand

has been for harvesting coconuts. Macaques, mainly pig- tailed
macaques, can be trained within three months, and can suffer
intently during the training process. Macaques are trained by
specialist trainers at training centres, and then handed to private
owners where it becomes difficult to assess if their welfare needs
are being met.
More macaque training centres are now being turned into tourism
entertainment venues, as this can be more profitable. Macaques
in these entertainment venues are kept for longer in unacceptable
captive conditions. They also suffer more intense training to
perform for tourists and are often dressed up in costumes. Tourists
are unwittingly fuelling this business, and the demand for more
macaques to be taken from the wild.

Image Long-tailed
macaque in the wild

25

Methodology and
ranking definitions
Between May and December 2010, we carried out an
assessment to understand the welfare conditions experienced by
wild animals in tourism entertainment venues in Thailand.
We selected venues which offered wild animals in tourism
entertainment in popular tourist destinations including: Ko Lanta;
Krabi, Phuket; Phang Nga; Khao Sok; Surat Thani; Ko Samui; Ko
Phangan; Hua Hin; Bangkok; Kanchanaburi; Chonburi; Pattaya;
Ko Chang; Surin; Ayutthaya; Sukhothai; Lampang; Chiang Mai;
Mae Rim; Mae Taeng; Chiang Rai; Mae Soi; Mae Hong Son
and Pai.

We assessed the quality of living conditions and welfare of

captive wild animals in each venue. We photographed each
venue in detail, and recorded the following information and
observations into a database for evaluation:

Table 1 Selection of
categories data was
collected in

Chiang Rai

Mae Hong
Son Pai

We visited each venue and collated information though both

observation and speaking with the venue staff. The majority of
visits were unannounced and we mainly communicated in Thai. In
some cases where a more detailed assessment was required, we
contacted the venue management prior to our visit.

Mae Taeng,
Chiang Mai
Mae Rim

Mae Soi
Lampang

Sukothai

Ayutthaya

Surin

Kanchanaburi

Bangkok

Chonburi
Pattaya
Ko Chang

Hua Hin

Ko Phangan
Khao Sok

Phuket

Surat Thani

Phang Nga

Krabi
Ko Lanta

26

Ko Samui

GPS
Number
location of of visitors
venue
daily
Male,
female
and
subadult
animal
numbers

Education
of visitors

Behavioural Health
abnorm
problems
alities
observed
observed

Hygene
Diet quality
standards
of
husbandry

Admission
fee

Animal
species
housed

Restraining Enclosure
methods
quality

Veterinary Social
care
interaction
between
animals

Extent of
use of
animals
for entert
ainment

Using this data we were able to calculate the welfare conditions

of captive wild animals in each venue. Assessing a series of
factors around living and welfare conditions, we were able to
grade these factors using a 5-point Likert scale, according to the
severity of the findings (see tables in Appendix I). Grades for
each factor were calculated into a final score between 1 and 10
for each venue. The final score for each venue then placed
them in one of three groups:

Table 2 Definition of
group ratings
Group

Score

Description

14

Severely inadequate husbandry

conditions and no welfare awareness

II

57

Inadequate husbandry conditions but

some welfare awareness

III

8 10

Commendable venues, providing

best possible conditions and strong
awareness of animal welfare

The venues in Group 3 demonstrated higher animal welfare

standards. Here, the best interest of captive wild animals were
largely met by not using them for tourism entertainment, and
keeping animals in living conditions closer to their natural habitat.
However, while these conditions are the best available options for
wild animals in captivity, it is still a compromise when their needs
can only be fully met in the wild.
Venues in Group 2, while offering inadequate living and welfare
conditions for animals, demonstrated some steps towards
addressing animal welfare. These groups could play a role in
showcasing improved living conditions to lowest scoring venues.
As we move towards wild animal free entertainment for tourists,
enabling lower scoring venues to improve their scores can help
improve the welfare of captive wild animals in Thailand.

27

Results and
observations
A total of 118 venues were visited across Thailand -

accounting for an estimated 95% of captive wild animal

venues in the country.
1,688 elephants, 624 tigers and 371 macaques were

recorded in these venues.

106 of the 118 venues kept captive elephants, with 89 of those

Gender
We saw a discrepancy in the gender ratio of elephants and
macaques. For our assessment, genders were grouped as adult
male, adult female and sub-adult (not fully matured). Across the
venues 69% of all elephants were adult female, and only18%
were adult male. The female to male ratio was roughly 4:1; this is
more imbalanced than western zoo figures of 3:1.31

keeping elephants only.

We could not carry out a welfare assessment in one of the

venues due to limited access consequently, 44 elephants are

not included in the welfare related analysis.
Four venues kept mainly captive tigers, including the Sri

Racha Tiger Zoo which housed some elephants too.

21 venues kept macaques, with nine of them designated as

monkey schools focusing on macaque shows and training,

with the remaining keeping them with other animals.

Regional differences
Northern and central Thailand had the most captive wild elephant
only venues. In the south many elephant venues also kept a
small number of macaques for entertainment. This was possibly
due to wider availability of macaques in the southern region for
coconut harvesting.
In the central region, mixed animal venues were often large and
well established, offering zoo-like facilities. A small number of
venues had several branches eg the Island Safari group operated
three venues on Phuket, Phang Nga and Ko Samui, but the
majority of venues were stand-alone.

28

Even assuming a number of male elephants were elsewhere

during our assessment; it was clear there were many more female
than male elephants kept in captivity in Thailand.
This 4:1 ratio could suggest that wild elephants were being
taken from the wild, and mostly females as they are easier to
control in captivity.
With a growth in captive breeding the gender balance could
shift in the future. Observing this shift will be a good indicator
for the potential illegal trade of elephants. If the female-to-male
ratio remains imbalanced this would indicate the trade of wild
elephants is continuing.
Since male elephants are significantly harder to control than
females, a balanced gender ratio will pose challenges to tourism
venues. It could lead to worsening welfare conditions, with males
being dominated and restrained for control.
With macaques, the opposite situation was recorded, with 67%
adult males compared to only 17% adult females.
Male macaques tend to be stronger and seen as more efficient
at coconut harvesting. The male-to- female ratio suggested
that macaques were being taken directly from the wild, with
a preference for poaching males. In venues where captive
breeding occurred, it was unclear what happened to the females,
as in these venues male numbers still dominated.

67+17+16A

69+18+13A

Macaques
Male

67%

Female

17%

Sub-adult

16%

Welfare conditions for

captive wild animals

4
3

Number Of Venues

Sub-adult

13%

36

31

20

18%

10+20
10+40

Elephant Venues

Male

For elephants; 974 elephants at 53% of venues were living in

severely inadequate conditions, 595 elephants were kept at
venues ranking in the medium group. Five percent of venues
provided commendable conditions for just 75 captive elephants.

30
25
10+90
8+52
10+310
13+220
40+30+360 269+24+330
40+80+200
35+45+157
10+70
6+75

Macaque Venues

69%

It was a similar outlook for macaques, with just one commendable

venue a wildlife rescue centre open to tourists. Although 70
macaques were living in commendable welfare conditions in this
particular venue, 97% remained in severely inadequate conditions
across the country.

Ninety percent of venues keeping captive tigers and macaques,

and 50% keeping captive elephants, received scores of 4 or
lower. This categorised them as offering severely inadequate
welfare conditions.

Tiger Venues

Female

Only one captive tiger was assessed as living in commendable

welfare conditions. This meant 99% of captive tigers were living in
inadequate or severely inadequate conditions.

Our assessment showed most venues in Thailand, for elephants,

tigers and macaques, were offering captive wild animals either
inadequate or severely inadequate welfare conditions.

Display of number of wildlife venues

according to their animal welfare standards.
Higher score = Higher welfare standards

Elephants

8
9
10
Welfare Standards Score

543

Tigers

Elephants

33

18

71

91

660

440

314

151

104

51

35+14
4+28

Macaques

Number Of Animals

Display of number of animals according to

the welfare standards they are facing.
Higher score = Higher welfare standards

56

70

19

8
9
10
Welfare Standards Score

29

Life in captivity
for elephants
Severely inadequate
conditions: Group 1 - score
1 to 4

Twenty venues offered elephant shows and elephant riding.

Elephant shows:

Ran between one and four times daily, using two to 12 elephants

each time.
During our assessment we reported 974 elephants suffering
in venues with severely inadequate welfare standards.
In these lowest scoring venues, we observed:

Elephants restrained on short chains all day, and sometimes

in urban areas all night, except when being used for rides or
performing in shows.


Lasted between 30-60 minutes, usually accompanied by very

loud amplification systems playing music or commentaries.


Used younger elephants, below eight years old because they are

too young for riding, more agile and easier-to-control.


Typically consisted of circus acts. These forced elephants to stand


Some elephants, especially males, with their front legs chained

together as additional restraint; this meant they had very

restricted movement.

Inadequate shelter, with many animals chained up beside

a road, or in full sunlight without any shade, or continuously

standing on hard concrete ground.

In some venues faeces piled up right next to the elephants

standing ground.

Most elephants kept permanently saddled ready to be ridden.

Very limited social contact with other elephants, with no

allowance for natural behaviour that would enable elephants to

form their social groups.

Lack of, and limited variety and quality of, fresh food.

Basic or non-existent veterinary care, particularly in smaller

venues. A handful of larger venues (with more than 30 animals)

offered basic clinic facilities.

Image Male elephant, both front feet chained

together, waiting at a Group 1 camp

30

on their hind legs, perform headstands, juggle hula hoops on their

trunks, or move rapidly back and forth to imitate dancing.

The following activities were also common:


Elephant painting elephants are forced to stand in front of

a canvas while the mahout places a brush in their trunk and

makes them paint. The mahout will guide the elephants
strokes through commands given via a touch of the elephants
ear or voice commands. This performance requires intensive
and often cruel training of which tourists are unaware.

Elephant football elephants are forced to carry out a game

of oversized football, often wearing a costume, with one

elephant forced to play goal keeper. They have to endure
intense training and perform extremely unnatural moves to take
part in this seemingly innocent game.

Elephant tight-rope walking at least three venues in

Thailand were offering elephants walking a double tightrope, suspended between 0.5 and 1m off the ground, as
entertainment. A fall from this relatively low height for an
animal weighing in excess of a ton could cause serious injury.

Image Elephant displaying extreme and

potentially damaging movements during a
show at a Group 1 camp


Elephant tricycle riding - larger elephant venues forced

elephants to ride specially crafted sturdy tricycles around an

arena, a cruel and unnatural act for an elephant.

Image Elephant showing signs of a psychological

or neurological disorder, known as stereotyping, at
a Group 1 camp

31

Inadequate conditions:
Group 2 - score 5 to 7
There were 43 venues assessed as offering inadequate welfare
and living conditions for captive elephants. Most of these were
medium sized, with a minimum of five elephants. 59 percent held
between eight to12 captive elephants.
These venues, while offering captive elephants some improved
welfare conditions and allowing some limited freedom, were still
not meeting their needs.

Image Tourist recieves training during a

be a mahout course at a Group 2 camp

At these medium scoring venues, we observed:


Captive elephants still chained during the day, but with longer

chains used to allow some degree of movement.


Shelters offering adequate protection from the elements, with

resting areas kept clean of faeces.


Captive elephants still being used for entertainment every day,

but with lower tourists numbers and slightly less interaction

with people.

Some of the venues offering be-a-mahout experiences. While

these experiences are still not ideal for the welfare of elephants,
they are less repetitive than consistent short treks.

11 of the 43 venues offered elephant shows for

tourism entertainment.

Image In this Group 2 camp elephants are kept on

longer chains in a shaded and natural environment.
They are only saddled on demand

Some of the venues refrained from using the metal hook on the
stick to control elephants.
Social interaction between elephants was possible, but still very
limited, with no opportunity for natural social groups to form.
All venues were supplying regular food to the elephants while
they were resting. This is an important factor in helping to minimise
the stress and suffering among captive elephants

32

Image Group 2 camp located deep in natural habitat.

Elephants are allowed to socialise with each other while
kept on long chains. Be a mahout courses are offered

Commendable conditions:
Group 3 - score 8 to 10
Tourism entertainment venues offering acceptable welfare
conditions for captive elephants were rare.

Tourists and visitors being offered education about elephant

welfare and conservation, by dedicated staff available at
all times.
Interaction with people kept to a minimum, though there were
some opportunities for feeding and bathing with captive
elephants, which should be minimised.

There were six venues in group 3, housing 75 captive elephants.

These venues were generally supported by foundations or
charities, but also depended on tourists or paying guests to stay
or work.
These venues, while still not fully meeting the needs of elephants,
which can only be met in the wild, were offering captive elephants
much improved welfare and living conditions.
The following observations were made at the highest
scoring venues:
Elephants still chained, or put in pens, but only overnight, to restrict
their movement and to prevent them from damaging nearby crops
and property.
During the day elephants were provided with as much freedom as
possible, and often allowed to roam in areas similar to their
natural habitat.

Image At this Group 3 camp elephants can interact with

each other without restrictions - in or outside of the pool

Elephants allowed full social interaction with each other; in the

larger venues, social elephant groups had formed as they would
in the wild.
Elephants not forced to participate in any entertainment, and no
elephant rides or shows offered.
Mahouts trained to monitor their elephants without the use of force
and to keep interaction to a minimum.
Food provided at all times, and often natural foraging encouraged
by providing access to forest land.
Sick and injured animals receiving immediate treatment, with four
of the six venues having resident vets on site. A fifth venue was
located not too far from the largest government-run elephant clinic.
Elephants having regular access to rivers or lakes.

Image At this Group 3 camp, volunteers and mahouts at this

venue are following the elephants through their natural habitat,
reducing interaction to a minimum and allowing social interation

33

 Most venues acquired their elephants through purchase it

is critical this is monitored so a replacement elephant is not
purchased by the former owners, thus maintaining a demand for
cruelly training further captive elephants. Preferably elephants
would only be acquired in exchange for non-monetary alternative
livelihoods to secure the former owners income.

Unfortunately, we noted only one of the six venues had a clear

non- breeding policy. While none of the remaining venues were
actively breeding elephants, they did not have a clear policy in
place. A clear stance against captive breeding will assist to phase
breeding out, and reduce the number of elephants born to suffer a
lifetime in captivity.

Venues offering employment to former mahouts, with some offering

to hire elephants and offer the mahout a monthly payment.
While there are advantages, it is risky if the mahout seeks to earn
more, particularly in the tourist season, through more profitable
activities such as using their elephant for begging.

While these venues offer improved welfare conditions for captive

elephants, it is recognised that the full needs of elephants can only
be fully met in the wild.

Venues trying initiatives such as encouraging mahouts to return

with their elephants to their home villages. Here funding was
offered to keep the elephants in adequate welfare conditions and
to find employment for the mahouts.

34

Image Most elephants at this venue

enjoy access to a large area of land
to range freely during the day.

Life in captivity
for tigers
During our assessment of venues housing captive tigers for
tourism entertainment, we found that every captive tiger, except
one, was living in severely inadequate conditions.
While venues offered variable living conditions; the use of tigers
to entertain tourists, and the questionable approach to captive
breeding, meant all captive tiger venues assessed offered
severely compromised welfare conditions.
The sole venue assessed as offering adequate captive
conditions for captive tigers was located at a rescue centre near
Cha Am. This venue offered a suitably sized outdoor enclosure,
with natural vegetation. It did not offer its captive tiger for any
entertainment purposes. Sadly, this was just one tiger amongst
over 620 tigers suffering in captivity.

Severely inadequate
conditions: Group 1 - score
1 to 4

All venues offering tourists photo opportunities with captive tigers

kept in small cages or enclosures, or in some cases chained up or
kept on a stage throughout the day. To accept this interaction with
people, tigers will have had to endure dominance from handlers,
causing extreme stress.
Most venues claim their tigers have been captive bred within
Thailand. This is feasible as captive tigers readily breed in
captivity even when living in inadequate welfare conditions.
The largest venue we visited housed up to 400 captive tigers,
and heavily promoted their captive breeding successes, but when
asked would not share their annual breeding figures.
It has been estimated in the past few years that on average 100
tiger cubs were born at this venue each year. With tigers classed
under CITES Appendix 1 regulations, meaning the international
trade of live tigers or their parts is prohibited it is entirely unclear
what had happened to the large number of captive bred tigers.

We observed the following in captive tiger venues:

Most tigers were kept in cages with concrete flooring and very
limited, or no, enrichment.
Tigers kept in solitary cages, or with one or two tigers in very
limited enclosure space.
Enclosures ranged from indoor all concrete yards, or some with
small outdoor enclosures, but these were restricted to a few
tigers or not used at all.
A clear lack of animal welfare understanding. For example,
tiger cubs were taken from their mothers and placed with
lactating pig sows, or dressed up in costumes and placed with
other females away from their mothers.
One venue placing a young tiger with an adult dog and adult
pig in an exhibit, and claiming it to be for educational purposes.

Image Tigers are frequently chained on platforms

to wait for tourists to pose for a picture.

35

Life in captivity
for macaques
Macaques kept in cages between 0.5 and 2metres, with
concrete flooring and no enrichment, or on a one-metre chain or
leash and given very basic shelter.
Macaques, still undergoing training, being kept on a leash in
their cages; with owners claiming this teaches the macaque
how to avoid becoming entangled when coconut harvesting.
These highly social animals being kept in solitary cages to
prevent injury, primarily from aggression.
Diet consisting mainly of boiled rice, with occasional fruit and
vegetables added, and a lack of freely available water.
Cages not cleaned on a daily basis, and in the worst cases;
plastic, glass, garbage and piles of faeces found in cages.
Macaques performing shows for the entertainment of tourists
two to four times a day, but in some cases the same macaques
performing more than 12 times a day.

Image Tricycle riding macaques are

part of almost every show

Severely inadequate
conditions:
Group 1 - score 1 to 4
In the venues we assessed for captive macaques, 90%
offered severely inadequate welfare conditions. In these
lowest scoring venues, we observed the following:

36

Macaques forced to ride tricycles, perform push

ups, weightlifting and backflips into pools to retrieve coins.
Demonstrations of coconut harvesting, and very young
macaques dressed up in costumes to re-enact knife fights or
karaoke singing.
Macaques in venues offering entertainment for tourists being
kept at these venues for much longer than when being trained
for coconut harvesting.
Very limited veterinary care.
Evidence of captive breeding, with infant macaques kept in cages
or on leashes near the entrance to venues to attract tourists.

Inadequate conditions:
Group 2 - score 5 to 7

Commendable conditions:
Group 3 - score 8 to 10

We recorded just one venue with a medium score, which

housed eight macaques near Surat Thani in inadequate
welfare conditions.

One wildlife rescue facility run by a charity near Cha Am,

which had taken in macaques from severely inadequate living
conditions, offered a commendable level of welfare conditions
for captive macaques.

This venue offered some improved welfare conditions by not

focussing on tourism entertainment, and openly opposing
macaques performing in shows. However it was still profiting
from the use of captive wild animals. Our hope is that this venue
continued to refrain from offering macaques for
tourist entertainment.

At this venue we observed:

Several large dedicated macaque enclosures, allowing
macaques the freedom to move around in a natural habitat.
A fresh and balanced diet offered consistently throughout the day.

At this venue we observed:

Macaques being trained in coconut harvesting, with training by
the owner mainly using positive reinforcement methods.
Overall healthy macaques not openly displaying signs of stress.

Observation of animals for signs of sickness and aggression, and

an onsite veterinary clinic.
No macaques being used for any performances or for the
entertainment of tourists.

Macaques kept on long leashes, attached to the ground under

large trees, in well cleaned areas.
Regular food and water provided.

Image A chained macaque at a tourist

attraction in Thailand

37

Mixed animal venues

Education at venues

Our assessment of welfare conditions was limited to elephants,

tigers and macaques, but during our visits we saw venues that
housed a mix of animals together for the entertainment of tourists,
including orang-utans, chimpanzees and other endangered
animals. Without exception these venues offered severely
inadequate welfare conditions.

Many of the venues we assessed, that housed captive wild animals for tourism entertainment, claimed they offered education to
visiting tourists to raise awareness about wild animals.

71+23+6A

During our assessment we recorded offerings of any educational

activity or materials. If there were displays of education materials,
or visual or audio information, we rated the venue as offering
basic education. If staff members were also available to address
visiting tourists, or to answer specific questions, we rated the venue
as offering comprehensive education.

Education at venues
None

71%

Basic

23%

Comprehensive

6%

We found 71% of venues did not offer any form of education,

and only 6% offered comprehensive education. Furthermore, we
observed tourists were not using education facilities at the venues
that offered basic education.
We observed some larger venues offered discounted entrance
fees to school groups. This would have been an excellent opportunity to raise awareness on animal welfare, but instead school
children were offered the opportunity to watch highly unnatural
and exploitative performances by captive wild animals.
Performances aimed at both children and adults were loud and
chaotic. They featured elephants balancing on tight ropes, or
young orang-utans re-enacting kick-boxing matches and rockshows. They offered a detrimental educational experience on
animal protection and welfare.

38

Statistical analysis
captive wild
elephant venues
Of the106 venues that housed captive wild elephants, most
were small to medium sized.
65% of venues had between one and 10 elephants.

The venues that scored higher for living and welfare conditions
in our assessment had fewer captive elephants with stereotypies.
Similar correlations were observed in relation to the environment
captive wild elephants were kept in, and the intensity of activities
they participated in for tourist entertainment.
While not surprising, this underlines the real importance of
improving animal welfare standards to reduce the stress and
suffering of captive wild elephants. Further research into the
key causes of stereotypies in captive wild animals will increase
understanding and assists to protect captive wild animals.

26% of all captive wild elephants were housed in smaller

sized venues.
The largest proportion of elephants were found in a handful of
larger venues. The eight largest venues, housed more than 40
animals, and 36% of all captive wild elephants.
In many of these venues, stereotypies were unfortunately
a common sight. While our assessment did not provide an
in-depth analysis of stereotypic behaviour, we did record
sightings of behaviour during our visits. This gave us a broad
overview of the situation.
At 61% of venues, stereotypies were observed. The severity
of this behaviour ranged from simple head bobbing, to heavy
weaving behaviour. At most venues we saw a number of
affected animals. In five venues we observed more than 50%
of captive animals showing stereotypic behaviour.
While visiting venues we selected a number of key factors
related to animal welfare standards, and analysed them for
statistical correlation using Pearsons correlation coefficient
method. The closer the numbers were to 1 or -1 the stronger
the correlation (negative or positive) between the key factors.

Venues not included in

our assessment
Due to various reasons we were unable to visit and assess a
number of well- known venues in 2010. Results in this report
do not include:
The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailands rescue
centre (WARED)
the Baan Chang Elephant Park
an unnamed venue near Phitsanulok, housing several elephants
without entertainment activities
Elephant Hills in southern Thailand.

While correlation does not necessarily imply cause, if it

does occur there can be other factors involved. Consequently,
correlation can offer insight and open up topics for
further investigation.

39

40

Conclusion
Building understanding to
protect wild animals
In 2010, World Animal Protection carried out the largest
assessment ever undertaken to understand the scale and extent
of suffering endured by wild animals in tourism entertainment
in Thailand.
The results of our assessment clearly showed that wild animals at
these venues were suffering, spending their whole lives in captive
conditions that could not meet their needs. This is because these
needs can only be met fully in the wild.
During our assessment in Thailand in 2010 we saw:
More than1,300 captive elephants chained up day and night,
except when performing or being ridden by tourists.

We saw fewer signs of stress in captive wild animals if their

environment was closer to what they would experience in the wild.
While we know the needs of wild animals can only be fully met in
the wild, we did see a small number of venues in Thailand moving
towards improving conditions. However, these improvements were
relatively basic.
An even smaller number of venues had recognised the importance
of minimising tourist interaction and implementing higher welfare
standards these were a minority.
Our findings highlight the importance of raising awareness of
captive wild animal suffering in tourism entertainment, to move
people to take action and make a change to protect animals.
We are sharing these findings to open conversations, to work
together towards sustainable solutions that protect wild animals,
while also considering local culture and livelihoods.

More than 600 tigers confined in concrete compounds or cages.

At least 290 macaques tethered to the ground, of caged, for every
hour of every day.
We witnessed a clear link between increased signs of stress in
captive wild animals, and the intensity and duration of the tourism
entertainment activities they were forced to endure.

Image A tiger at a facility for tourists in Thailand

41

Captive elephants in
tourism entertainment
Elephants are the most widely used captive wild animals in
tourism entertainment in Thailand.
These highly intelligent and social wild animals are either
cruelly taken from the wild, and their mothers, or are bred in
captivity. Irrespective of their origin, suffering is experienced by
every elephant that lives in captivity, because their needs can
only be met fully in the wild.
Most captive elephants used in tourism entertainment in
Thailand were kept in unacceptable conditions that could not
meet their needs.
Key observations and welfare concerns of elephants in
most venues offering tourism entertainment were:

A handful of mostly rescue-based venues offered better, if not

best, welfare standards: limiting tourism activities to observing
wild elephants, and not forcing elephants to participate in rides
and shows.
These better venues had little capacity to take in further captive
elephants to prevent them suffering inadequate welfare
conditions elsewhere.
Wild elephants belong in the wild. However, we know it will
take time to move towards an end to the use of wild elephants in
entertainment tourism.
Elephants have a long lifespan. Consequently, as we work
towards sustainable solutions to stop wild animals being
used in entertainment, the following steps should be taken by
venues owners to improve existing captive wild
elephant welfare.
Do not use captive elephants in any entertainment activity.

Being chained or tethered day and night with limited, or no,

freedom to socially interact with other elephants.
Being forced to take part in intense and physically
demanding entertainment shows.
The risk of maltreatment through lack of awareness by elephant
handlers (mahouts).
A number of venues, while still offering largely inadequate
captive conditions for elephants, acknowledged a need to
improve the welfare of captive elephants, including offering
sufficient veterinary care.

Allow time for elephants to interact socially with other elephants

as they would in the wild.
Keep elephants in environments that best mirror what they would
experience in the wild.
Do not chain elephants, appoint staff to watch over them or
provide safe enclosures.
Do not use elephants for rides; but if you do, ensure saddles
are removed when elephants are not being ridden, and do not
overload the elephants.
Allow regular access to pools, mud and sand.
Provide plentiful, fresh and varied food throughout the day.
Keep areas for the elephants clean and free of faeces.
Offer regular veterinary inspection and treatment.

42

 Offer tourists the opportunity to observe elephants exhibiting

more natural behaviours, such as foraging or interacting with
each other, rather than directly interacting with the elephants, or
seeing them in shows.

Key welfare concerns for tigers in most venues offering

tourism entertainment were:
90% of tigers kept in severely inadequate conditions.

To further protect wild elephants, captive breeding must be

restricted to only support valid conservation needs. Law
enforcement is also needed to successfully prevent the illegal
trade of elephants.

Tigers kept in cages or concrete pits.

To fully protect wild elephants, governments need to recognise

elephants as wild animals, not livestock, and introduce
guidelines for managing their welfare.

Tiger cubs separated early from their mothers so tourists could

pay to experience feeding the cubs themselves.

Ultimately introducing policy measures that move towards

banning wild animals being used in tourism entertainment.

Captive tigers in tourism

entertainment
There is no cultural tradition of keeping captive wild tigers in
Thailand, yet during our assessment we saw more than 600
tigers in captivity.
Wild tigers are generally solitary animals, and can roam up to
32 kilometres in a single night23. A lifetime in captivity, chained
and forced to interact with people, is no life for a tiger.

Tigers chained on small platforms while tourists had their

photographs taken with them.

At one venue extreme exploitation, with a tiger sharing an

enclosure with a pig and a dog purely for the entertainment
of tourists.
No monitoring or reporting of what happens to adult tigers when
no longer used for tourism entertainment; fuelling concerns about
the involvement of the illegal wildlife trade32.
Many of the venues that use captive tigers for entertainment
tourism claim they are assisting the conservation of tigers. But
no captive tigers have been reintroduced to the wild. An everincreasing captive tiger population not only fails to address this
problem, it creates a lifetime of suffering for tigers that belong in
the wild, not in captivity.
We will work to further investigate, and open discussion on, what
can be done to protect wild tigers used in entertainment tourism.
Our aim is to help protect these magnificent, endangered animals,
and to help keep them in the wild.

43

Captive macaques in
tourism entertainment

Mixed captive animals in

tourism entertainment venues

Wild macaques are extremely inventive and adaptive. Because

of these attributes, there is a long history of people capturing
wild macaques to train them for various purposes.

A small number of larger venues in Thailand housed a mix of

animals. These included: elephants, tigers, macaques, orang-utans,
gorillas, chimpanzees, and whales and dolphins. In these venues
we saw some of the worst captive conditions, and disregard for
animal welfare with animals forced to perform intensely for
large audiences.

The captive conditions for wild macaques used in tourism

entertainment were wholly inadequate.
The suffering endured by macaques to interact with, and
entertain, tourists was and is unacceptable. In addition, their
captivity offers neither educational nor conservation benefits.
Key welfare concerns for wild macaques in most venues offering
tourism entertainment were:
Most macaques being kept in small cages or
permanently chained.
Being intensely trained to interact with people, and being
cruelly exploited to entertain tourists.
No opportunity to socially interact with other macaques, as
they would in the wild.
Being kept in unhygienic conditions, with very little or sometimes
non-existent veterinary care or treatment.
Macaques are either taken from the wild or bred in captivity.
The observed high male-to-female ratio suggested that females
are either traded off to unknown destinations, or that macaques
are being selectively taken from the wild.
Regardless of their origin, macaques suffer throughout their lives
in captivity, and solutions must be considered to end
their suffering.

44

A number of these venues have been prosecuted for their

involvement in the illegal wildlife trade. They offer no educational
value, yet large numbers of tourists, and visiting school children,
attended shows using captive wild animals for entertainment at
these venues.
The captive wild animals in these venues experienced extreme
suffering. Solutions must be considered to raise awareness, and to
end their suffering.

How we can
work with you
World Animal Protection
works, globally and locally,
to protect animals and
influence the decisions
people make to protect
wildlife.
We are working with governments, communities and people
around the world to find practical ways, and sustainable
evidence-backed solutions, to prevent animal suffering.

To protect wild animals used for entertainment tourism, we must

work together with local influencers, people and partners, to
open conversations to make lasting change for animals, and for
people.
We would like to talk to you to discuss sustainable, culturally
sensitive and economically viable solutions to stop the use of wild
animals in tourism entertainment.
We can help to build understanding about how we can all play
our part to protect wild animals to help keep them in the wild,
where they belong.
To find out more about our work please visit:
www.worldanimalprotection.org

45

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2

Mason G, Rushen J; Stereotypic animal behaviour: fundamentals and

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3

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Elephant in Domesticity; FAO; 1997

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Bradshaw GA, Linder L; Post-Traumatic Stress and Elephants in

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21st October 2009

8th 2011

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Populations for Conservation; 2002

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Elephant in Domesticity; FAO; 1997

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the ivory black markets of Asia; Environmental Investigation Agency, 2002

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trade
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The Nation/Asia News Network; Thai temple butchers carcasses of 3

Clubb R, Mason G; A review of the welfare of zoo elephants in

Europe; University of Oxford; 2002

23

Sunquist M; Wild Cats of the World; University of Chicago; 2002

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WWF; Tiger Farms a ticket to extinction; 2009

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International Tiger Coalition; Facts of Tiger Trade & Farming; www. endtigertrade.

org
26

Baker S, Dutton A, et al.; The Wildlife Trade in East and Southeast

Asia; University of Oxford; 2006

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EIA; Thailand sends 100 tigers to China; 2003

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Care for the Wild International; Exploiting the tiger; 2008

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newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/04/15/inside-tiger-farming-alongchain-of-profiteers/; 2014
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Thani and Kanchanburi, 2010

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genetic and archaeological paradigms; University of California; 2006

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Karl Ammann, Inside tiger farming - a long chain of profiteers; http://newswatch.

10(3); 2002

nationalgeographic.com/2014/04/15/inside-tiger-farming-along-chain-of-

Care for the Wild International; Exploiting the tiger; 2008

profiteers/; 2014

46

Appendices
Elephants
Category/Score

Mobility

Chained + Trekking

Long Chain/ Small pen +

Trekking

Pen > 100sqm + Trekking

Most time in large

enclosure

Free and unrestricted

movement

Hygiene

Old faeces + urine

present, moist surface,
stench, no access to
pool/shower

Old faeces + urine

present, some drainage,
showering

Only recent faeces +

urine, dry ground, short
baths

Clean and dry surface,

regular baths

Clean and dry

surface, free choice of
water and dust baths

Environmental noise
quality

Direct vicinity to traffic, PA

system, large crowds

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Occasional traffic or small

groups, no electronic
noise

Intermediate of 2 and 4

No noise except
natural sounds

Shelter

Concrete ground, direct

sunlight/rain

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Dirt ground with medium

shelter possibility (e.g
single tree)

Intermediate of 2 and 4

Natural ground
with sufficient and
adequate shelter
options

Naturalness

Urban environment

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Natural environment
surroundings but direct
contact only with artificial
structures

Intermediate of 2 and 4

Fully based in natural

environment

Social interaction

Solitary - no visual contact

with conspecifics

Visual but no tactile

contact

Adequate amounts,
good variety and quality,
always food available,
not free water access

Small social grouping

possible

Complete free
interaction with
creation of social
network

Diet quality

Inadequate amounts
(<75kg/1000kg BDW)
and limited variety

Adequate amounts but

limited variety and quality

Trekking without saddle or

Be-a-Mahout program

Adequate human selected

variety, ad-libitum water
and food

Sufficient natural food

sources, free choice of
consumption

Entertainment intensity

Show or intense use for

other purposes

Undemanding shows
once per day, trekking

Moderate welfare
understanding,restricted
use of ankhus only for
required situations, call or
transport to vet, no saddle
unless ready to ride

No entertainment but
strong interaction

Clear NoEntertainment policy

Animal Management

No welfare
understanding,
inappropriate usage of
ankhus, visible wounds
on elephants, elephants
constantly saddled, no vet
treatments

Minimum welfare
understanding, strong use
of ankhus, treatment only
by annual or bi-annual vet
visits, elephants constantly
saddled

Moderate welfare
understanding,restricted
use of ankhus only for
required situations, call or
transport to vet, no saddle
unless ready to ride

Good welfare
understanding, sincere
attempts to improve
welfare standard, strong
vet support

Very strong welfare

understanding and
focus on best situation
for elephants, resident
vet or strong vet
support

47

Tigers
Category/Score

Mobility

Caged or short chain

Long chain/rope

Small enclosure / large

cage with enrichment

Medium sized outdoor

enclosure with vegetation

Large area with

natural vegetation

Environmental noise
quality

Direct vicinity to traffic, PA

system, large crowds

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Occasional traffic or small

groups, no electronic
noise

Intermediate of 2 and 4

No noise except
natural sounds

Shelter + Hygiene

Concrete ground, direct

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Dirt ground, shelter

Intermediate of 2 and 4

Natural ground, suf-

sunlight/rain, unhygienic
(garbage, faeces)

possibility (e.g. single

tree), moderately clean

ficient and adequate

shelter options,
regular cleaning

Naturalness

Urban environment

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Natural environment
surroundings but direct
contact only with man
made structures

Intermediate of 2 and 4

Fully based in natural

environment

Social interaction

Overcrowding

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Group housing with

individual retreats

Intermediate of 2 and 4

Completely free
choice of interaction
or solitude

Diet quality

Inadequate amounts and

limited variety

Adequate amounts but

limited variety and no free
water access

Adequate amounts, good

variety, regularly fed, not
free water access

Adequate human selected

food variety and amount,
ad-libitum water

Sufficient natural food

sources, free choice of
consumption

Entertainment intensity

Regular circus show or

intense use for other
purposes

No show but photo

opps/ cub feeding /
petting

No entertainment but
strong interaction

Intermediate of 2 and 4

No entertainment and
no interaction with
visitors

Animal Management

No welfare understanding, malnourished animals,

long working hours, strong
commercial interest

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Moderate welfare
understanding, attempts
to create a better situation
for tigers, limited working
hours

Good welfare understanding, sincere attempts to

improve welfare standard
(enrichment), no working
hours

Very strong welfare

understanding and
focus on best situation
for tigers, resident vet
or strong vet support

48

Macaques
Category/Score

Mobility

Caged or short chain

Long chain

Small enclosure / large

cage with enrichment

Medium sized outdoor

enclosure with vegetation

Large area with

natural vegetation

Environmental noise
quality

Direct vicinity to traffic, PA

system, large crowds

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Occasional traffic or small

groups, no electronic
noise

Intermediate of 2 and 4

No noise except
natural sounds

Shelter + Hygiene

Concrete ground, direct

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Dirt ground with shelter

Intermediate of 2 and 4

Dirt and grass

sunlight/rain, unhygienic
(garbage, faeces)

possibility (e.g single

tree), moderately clean

ground, sufficient and

adequate shelter
options, regular
cleaning

Naturalness

Urban environment

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Natural environment
surroundings but direct
contact only with man
made structures

Intermediate of 2 and 4

Fully based in natural

environment

Social interaction

Solitary - no visual contact

with conspecifics

Visual but no tactile contact with conspecifics

Tactile contact but no

social grouping

Small social grouping

possible

Complete free
interaction with
creation of social
network

Diet quality

Inadequate amounts and

limited variety

Adequate amounts but

limited variety and no free
water access

Adequate amounts, good

variety, regularly fed,
limited water access

Adequate human selected

food variety, ad-libitum
water and food

Sufficient natural food

sources, free choice of
consumption

Entertainment intensity

Circus show or intense use

for other purposes

Undemanding show once

daily

Petting or feeding but no

shows

No entertainment but
strong visitor interaction

No entertainment and
no interaction with
visitors

Animal Management

No welfare understanding, malnourished animals,

long working hours, strong
commercial interest

Intermediate of 0 and 2

Moderate welfare
understanding, attempts
to create a better situation
for macaques, limited
working hours

Good welfare understanding, sincere attempts to

improve welfare standard
(enrichment), no working
hours

Very strong welfare

understanding and
focus on best situation
for macaques,
resident vet or strong
vet support

Note: All score descriptions in each category are to be seen as guidelines for the assessor as not all situations fit exactly these descriptions. Categories with less than five
descriptions still allow for scoring of all score values if the situation suggests a mix of the neighbouring score descriptions, e.g. if a venue in parts meets descriptions in a
specific category for scores 1 and 3, the suggested score may be a 2.

49

worldanimalprotection.org
We are World Animal Protection
We end the needless suffering of animals.
We influence decision makers to put animals on the global agenda.
We help the world see how important animals are to all of us.
We inspire people to change animals lives for the better.
We move the world to protect animals.
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We were known as WSPA

(World Society for the
Protection of Animals)

50